An attorney for former Vikings personnel director Fran Foley said that Foley was "wrongfully terminated" today and plans legal action in order to recoup the entire value of a three year contract believed to be worth more than $1 million.
Foley retained Jeffrey Kessler, one of the country's preeminent sports attorneys, to make his argument. Kessler said he will begin by filing for an arbitration hearing in front of outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

"The Vikings are refusing to honor his contract," Kessler said, "which we find shocking for a club who has made such a major public stance on being ethical and having a code of conduct."

Kessler and the Vikings spent most of Tuesday attempting to negotiate a settlement, but Kessler said the Vikings made only a "token" offer. Instead, the Vikings fired Foley today, telling Kessler it was for cause and that they were not obligated to honor the contract.

Foley acknowledged last month that he had embellished his early work history on the resume he submitted to the Vikings in January, which could be interpreted as a violation of the Vikings' code of conduct. But Kessler said owner Zygi Wilf "made it very clear after the issue surfaced that it did not affect his evaluation of Mr. Foley in any way, shape or form."

Instead, Kessler said, Foley was fired because "of some type of internal issue created by people who did not want Mr. Foley to have the job in the first place."

If anybody lied on their bio or resume they would be fired and that is what he did. Plus, he didn't handle the draft very well. Wilf will for sure take care of this!

Prophet

05-03-2006, 11:59 PM

Great. More negative press headed our way.

jdvike

05-04-2006, 12:02 AM

"HandsTeam" wrote:

Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Vikings dump Foley; he'll sue
Foley acknowledged last month that he had embellished his early work history on the resume he submitted to the Vikings in January, which could be interpreted as a violation of the Vikings' code of conduct.
embellish...thats the word I use when I'm caught lying to the wife LOL

whackthepack

05-04-2006, 12:05 AM

Foley gets his a$$ handed to him again, Wilf's attorneys will eat Foley's for lunch and then still be looking for more.

I made "ring of fame" status.

VikesfaninWis

05-04-2006, 12:07 AM

This I am sure won't even be a issue. I mean it will only for the fact because the Vikings are involved, but it won't be a big deal. If Wilf does have to pay him anything, it won't be the whole contract amount. He lied to gain employment. That is illegal. Just like it says in any job application, by signing you are stating that the answers are true and correct to the best of your knowledge. He admitted that his resume was a lie.. I doubt the Vikes will have to pay him anything.

MensaTice

05-04-2006, 12:10 AM

This should help him land another job in the NFL. :roll: What a tool.

Freakout

05-04-2006, 12:38 AM

Yeah he has such a great case..........

he signed the code of conduct........

they later found out he lied multiple times on his resume..........

and his lawyer is dumb enough to use the word ethical?

sodaknick

05-04-2006, 12:40 AM

"MensaTice" wrote:

This should help him land another job in the NFL. :roll: What a tool.

This just proves that he's not only full of crap, he truly is an idiot, as well!

The ol' resume takes a another shot. :violent3:

sirweeze

05-04-2006, 01:03 AM

Good lord.

When will we be just another team again?

Mr. Purple

05-04-2006, 01:09 AM

What an idoit, what does he expect? I should try out, apprently you can list stuff you've never actually been in charge off. I always had a iffy feeling about that guy...looks like hes waiting to f**k stuff up.

Benet

05-04-2006, 01:13 AM

Bring it on Foley.. You admitted the reasons why you've been fired yourself, the comments are there for everyone to see.

Open. Shut. Case.

PurplePeopleEaters89

05-04-2006, 01:17 AM

You can't be "wrongfully terminated" if you lied about your Application!!! He said he played football for 4 years when it was really 2 and he said he was coach at some college when he was really an assistant of sports or something like that!!! He is just a plane liar!!!

ThePurpleCow

05-04-2006, 01:20 AM

He has no chance.

V-Unit

05-04-2006, 01:43 AM

This is so unneccesary. Another mess for the media to make dirtier. This is not going to look good for us at all. Now we have had almost as much negative press as we did last year. Let's just hope no one fails a drug test after this is all said and done.

chilifoot

05-04-2006, 06:01 AM

where are all the people now who thought it was no big deal that foley lied on his resume?

that IS grounds for termination, as many have said.... and i'm glad they canned him, bad press or not.... i think it actually saves us some face... why should we continue to employ someone who was employed under false pretenses? it would look worse if we didn't can him IMO....

it's just funny that when the story about Foley lying on his resume broke, there were alot of people around here saying that everyone was making too big of a deal about it.... and i don't buy the bad draft excuse... the draft was not solely in Foley's hands.... i'm pretty sure Childress had to give his stamp of approval as well.... and if there were internal struggles involving Foley which were grounds enough to fire his ass, even after over-looking the whole resume fiasco, then i'd say he got what was coming to him....

good riddance Fran Foley.... we hardly knew ye

BadlandsVikings

05-04-2006, 06:04 AM

Since he lied on the resume he doesn't have much chance in winning.

PrImEtImESmooT21

05-04-2006, 06:19 AM

What an idiot what the hell is he suing for

BigMoInAZ

05-04-2006, 07:54 AM

Ok, wait a minute! This is in no way a defense for FRAN STUPID, but let's back away from the table and rethink this whole issue. No, not the Foley firing,.... HOW ABOUT THE FOLEY HIRING?

Anyone, cough, cough, Zygi, :roll: making the mistake of hiring a BOOB like Foley in the first place shouldn't get a pass on the HIRING of his Head Coach either!

I've never liked the Childress hire, I've never liked the thought that Zygi put so much faith into a 27 year QB coach who worked his last 7 years in the league as the clip board boy for Andy Reid, a total control freak! I've questioned the quick hire by Zygi, just 4 days after firing Meathead, and if anyone here thinks that Childress didn't have any say so in this past weekends draft, you need to find another hobby cause the draft is not your forte!

All I'm saying in this post is if Zygi could SCREW UP SO BIG on the hiring Fran Foley, who's to say the same can't apply for Brad Childress, a second tier coach in my humble opinion, until proven otherwise?

Or, as we should call them now, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/BigMo58/BlindingSqueeze-364x271.jpg

Articnv

05-04-2006, 10:12 AM

wee by foley shoudl taken the seberance package, glad he is gone

singersp

05-04-2006, 01:08 PM

Posted on Wed, May. 03, 2006

Foley won't leave Vikings without a fight

BY SEAN JENSEN
Knight Ridder Newspapers

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Vikings have been trying to start anew under owner Zygi Wilf. But the franchise continues to be dogged by drama. The latest episode razed one corner of the team's Triangle of Authority, thwarted an anticipated "bloodbath" in the scouting department and will be settled by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Just before noon Wednesday, the Vikings released a one-sentence statement relaying that the team had "terminated the employment contract of vice president of player personnel Fran Foley." Later in the afternoon, Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said his client was "wrongfully terminated" and that he would seek full compensation for the three-year deal Foley signed in late January, as well as "additional damages."

Kessler declined to comment on the value of Foley's contract. But a source close to the team said the total was more than in excess of $1 million.

"It's shocking to us that the Vikings are refusing to honor his contract, after inducing him to leave his job in San Diego, where he was quite happy and successful," said Kessler, a partner at Dewey Ballantine LLP. "The reason we're shocked is the emphasis the club and owner in particular have put out to adhering to a code of conduct and ethical standards. You'd think it would start with honoring contracts."

Foley did not return a message left on his cell phone, and Wilf could not be reached for comment. Kevin Warren, the Vikings' vice president of operations and legal counsel, spoke on behalf of the team Wednesday evening.

"Due to the sensitivity of this issue, we cannot and will not address any specifics of Fran Foley's termination," Warren said. "In the best interests of the Vikings organization and the future of the franchise, we felt his employment should be terminated. We want to treat Fran with respect, just like we would with any employee, whether they have a contract or not.

"The Wilfs really want to focus on the future, and they are doing all they can to build a world-class franchise on and off the field."

Kessler and Foley aren't ready to move on. The attorney, Kessler, has a long track record of successfully litigating major sports lawsuits, including McNeil versus the NFL, the landmark antitrust jury trial in Minneapolis that resulted in the establishment of the league's free agency system. Kessler also has been the principal lawyer for the NFL Players Association since 1989, and he played a central role in last month's new collective bargaining agreement.

Kessler said he would send a notice of arbitration to the NFL on Thursday, and he expected Tagliabue to oversee a full hearing. The timetable is unclear.

Kessler intends to cite documents and call upon witnesses, including Wilf and Vikings coach Brad Childress.

Kessler said attempts Tuesday to reach a settlement between the team and Foley were unproductive. Instead, the Vikings terminated Foley and said they were not obligated to fulfill the terms of his contract. A settlement remains possible.

Asked if biographical information Foley used on his resume, embellishing his titles during his college coaching career and the length of his college playing career played a role in his ouster, Kessler said, "There was no violation of the code of conduct.

"In fact, the owner both assured Mr. Foley himself privately and publicly that that wasn't an issue," Kessler said. "We're talking to issues about how many years he played at Framingham State? Do we think that had anything to do with why the Vikings hired him? No. They hired him because of his extraordinary track record with the (Jacksonville) Jaguars and (San Diego) Chargers, and the recommendations he received with the people he formerly worked with."

Sources close to the team said Tuesday and Wednesday that the Vikings were displeased with Foley's abrasive personality. Foley had disagreements with several staffers, the sources said, including Childress, and he told an assistant last week to take Monday and Tuesday off because there would be a "bloodbath," a reference to his plan to dismiss most of the team's scouts.

The scouts' contracts expire at the end of this month. Among those rumored to be in danger was Scott Studwell, the director of college scouting.

Asked about Foley's reputation of not getting along with other Vikings employees, Kessler said, "If that was the reason, then they have to pay him under the terms of the contract.

"We think this has to do with a desire of others in the organization to have control. They didn't want to share that control, even though Mr. Foley was hired to be in charge of player personnel, reporting only to the owner."

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said the NFL has been abuzz over Foley's ouster. "Everyone's kind of talking about it," Smith said. "I can't comment on his Minnesota experience. I can only comment on his three years working here. He was a guy who worked hard, got along with everyone and did everything that was expected of him. He's a good person, a good family man."

Smith said Foley wasn't hired because of his resume and that he would rehire him - if he had a vacancy job. Said Kessler, "It's particularly outrageous, because (the Vikings) lured him away from another job. They've left him in a very difficult position for this year."

Now, Tagliabue will have to address the issue. "(The Vikings) negotiated a guaranteed contract with Mr. Foley," Kessler said. "If they fire him, they have to pay him."

As if Fran Foley's escapades with his resume weren't enough to make teams less inclined to consider him for employment, there's a feeling in some league circles that his decision to file a claim against the Vikings for the balance of his contract will slam the door on his ability to secure future employment with any NFL club.

Making matters worse is Foley's decision to allow his attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, to make public comments critical of Foley's former employer.

On Wednesday, Kessler suggested that the Vikings' decision not to buy out Foleys contract was not ethical. According to the AP, Kessler continues to bash the team: "Mr. Foley had a guaranteed contract and the Vikings breached that contract," Kessler said, "They induced him to leave a job he was very happy at in San Diego by offering that guaranteed contract."

Look, the NFL is a small, tightly-knit industry. Owners generally are cautious and conservative. They prefer to avoid behavior that could be construed as disrespectful to a fellow owner (except, of course, when it comes to something important, like revenue sharing).

The question that any owner considering Foley must consider is this: Is hiring Foley worth all the headaches?

First will be the P.R. hit in the local media. Second will be the question of whether Foley can be trusted. Third will be the potential hard feelings from the Vikings (even though continued employment by an NFL club will reduce the maximum amount the Vikes ultimately might owe to Foley). Fourth will be the basic fear that, if the team that hires Foley chooses to fire him prematurely, the new employer could face an arbitration claim along with inflammatory public statements from Foley's lawyer.

Foley's best play, in our view, would have been to resign quietly, and to hope that someone like his former boss Tom Coughlin could hook him up with a new gig.

As we explained on April 22:

"After the draft, Wilf should ask Foley to step aside. And if Foley truly 'gets it,' he shouldn't have to be asked to leave. (http://www.profootballtalk.com/4-22-06.htm)"

===============================================

Fran Foley reportedly told an assistant to take Monday and Tuesday of this week off because there would be a "bloodbath" (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/14494541.htm) in the Vikings' scouting department. (Little did Foley realize that the blood he would be bathing in was his own.)

===============================================

POSTED 10:04 p.m. EDT, May 3, 2006

WILL VIKES GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME?

The most pressing question in the wake of the Vikings' stunning-but-not-surprising decision to part ways with V.P. of player personnel Fran Foley is whether, given a new chance to hire a guy with "final say" over the roster, the organization will alter the approach that resulted in Foley getting hired in the first place.

The unanimous opinion of a variety of league and industry sources from whom we've heard over the past couple of weeks is that Foley is a lightweight who never should have gotten the job.

So why did he get the job?

Several sources have opined that the move was aimed at ensuring a high level of influence for V.P. of football operations Rob Brzezinski, V.P. of operations and legal counsel Kevin Warren, and coach Brad Childress. Since, as the theory goes, Foley didn't come through the door as an ass-kicker and name-taker, Brzezinski, Warren, and Childress would have more juice.

"THIS IS ABOUT TURF PROTECTION," as one league source with extensive knowledge regarding the operation of NFL front offices has explained to us via a Wednesday night e-mail, using all caps for emphasis.

The central figure in all of this, as the source opined, is Brzezinski. It was Brzezinksi, after all, who cozied up to Zygi Wilf last season, sitting next to him in the owner's box and securing the owner's trust. So at a time when Wilf couldn't call up any of the other 31 members of the Billionaire Boys Club and ask for basic advice on how to run a pro football team, Wilf did the only thing that he could.

He gave Brzezinski a significant voice in the process.

And as another source previously has explained, part of the problem is that Wilf didn't appreciate the importance of a personnel chief to the team, budgeting something in the neighborhood of $500,000 per year for the job. Indeed, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the three-year deal is believed to be worth in excess of $1 million. (http://www.startribune.com/510/story/409877.html)

Wilf's focus was the coaching position. It appears in hindsight that he focused on it too much.

Our recommendation for a next step? Hire a respected person from an organization with a proven track record of success and give him the reins.

And spend the money necessary to make it happen.

Here's the interview list we'd compile, right now, in no particular order: Kevin Colbert of the Steelers, Jason Licht of the Eagles, Scott Pioli of the Patriots, Chris Polian of the Colts, Jerry Reese of the Giants, Dan Rooney Jr. of the Steelers, Ted Sundquist of the Broncos, Mike Lombardi of the Raiders, Eric DeCosta of the Ravens, Greg Gabriel of the Bears, Ruston Webster of the Bucs.

None have "final say" -- thus, any of them can be hired as long as they get "final say" in Minnesota.

We're not saying which one of these guys we'd ultimately hire. The final decision depends on the manner in which the candidate fits within the existing structure.

The Minnesota Vikings have terminated V.P. of player personnel Fran Foley.

And per Kevin Seifert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Foley plans to file an arbitration claim (http://www.startribune.com/510/story/409877.html) against the team for the balance of his three-year contract, after he and the team were unable to work out a buyout.

Foley is being represented by Jeffrey Kessler, who most recently represented T.O. in his failed arbitration -- and who then stuck it to the NFL at the bargaining table regarding the new non-economic terms of the CBA.

Kessler claims that Foley was "wrongfully terminated," but the claim for the balance of the contract likely arises from the standard practice in the industry that coaching and executive contracts are honored if terminated by the club, minus any earnings that the guy realizes with another NFL team.

"The Vikings are refusing to honor his contract," Kessler said, "which we find shocking for a club who has made such a major public stance on being ethical and having a code of conduct." (Um . . . Jeff, we wouldn't hammer on that whole "code of conduct" thing, in light of your client's misadventures with, you know, the truth.)

The Vikings are taking the position that the termination was "for cause," and that the team therefore is not obligated to honor his contract. We've heard that the decision was motivated both by Foley's resume inaccuracies and by the simple fact that he couldn't get along with anyone in his short stint with the team.

Kessler claims that the move was the result "of some type of internal issue created by people who did not want Mr. Foley to have the job in the first place (http://www.startribune.com/510/story/409877.html)."

Sorry, Jeff, but your theory is too esoteric. How is it that these people who didn't want Foley in the first place were later able to run him out the door? Even if it's true, it's because Foley gift-wrapped his own pink slip via his incredibly poor handling of the resume issue.

Moving forward, look for the Vikings to dispatch an army of lawyers to gather as much dirt as possible regarding anything in Foley's resume or background that would reflect poorly on him, or that would suggest further evidence of lying. Even if not directly (or indirectly) relevant to the question of whether Foley should not get paid, the approach in cases of this nature is to get the decision-maker to focus generally on whether the claimant is worthy of the relief he or she seeks. If the Vikes can make enough poop stick to Fran, the Commish (who apparently will preside over the matter) might decide that Foley shouldn't get a dime.

And given that Jeff Kessler personally was responsible for recently breaking one off in the NFL's hind quarters, we wonder whether he's the best choice to represent Foley. The quick hiring of Kessler has prompted speculation that Foley is represented by Tom Condon and/or Ken Kremer, given Kessler's close ties to the former IMG duo that recently jumped to Creative Artists Agency. Regardless, it's not a good thing for Foley if the decision-maker is disinclined to agree with Kessler (consciously or not) given Kessler's key role on behalf of the players' union.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings fired the Vice President of Player Personnel because, well for lack of a better term, he was "full of bologna."

Foley's tenure in Minnesota will certainly go down as one of the shortest in recent memory as far as personnel directors go. Heeding the advice of NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, owner Zygi Wilf hired a search team to fill the position, which was abolished by previous penny-pinching owner Red McCombs.

Foley previously served nine years under head coach and general manager Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville, and spent the previous three years in the San Diego Chargers ' front office under the title of Director of Pro Scouting.

Upon his arrival to the "Twin Cities," he became part of the "Triangle of Authority," along with head coach Brad Childress and VP of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski.

In recent weeks, news that Foley had embellished his resume a la former Vikings assistant George O'Leary became apparent. The resume he turned into Wilf when interviewing for the position said that he was a coach with the Citadel, Rutgers, and Colgate, when in actuality he held a job similar to a graduate assistant. He also stated that he played four seasons at Framingham State, when he only played two.

Now, I'm from the school of thought that if he earned the job based on what he did with the Chargers and previously with the Jacksonville Jaguars , it shouldn't matter what his resume says. But then again, the Vikings' organization isn't going to put up with what they feel is unethical, so they cannot make exceptions.

After inappropriate and unacceptable behavior that Vikings fans were becoming accustomed to from the organization, Wilf issued a 77-page code of conduct for players and employees back in November. Foley's falsifying of his resume could be seen as a violation of that code. It certainly doesn't help the organization that is trying to clean up its image in hopes of coaxing the state of Minnesota into forking over a new stadium.

This past weekend's draft, headed by Foley, also drew the ire of fans. Now it's certainly too soon to pass judgment on the draft, as none of the players have stepped on the field for a single play yet. However, drafting a backup center in the second round (Ryan Cook), projected by many to be a late-round pick is a head scratcher, especially when All-Pro Matt Birk is already on the roster.

Foley plans to sue the organization for "wrongfully terminating" him, in an effort to receive the full value of the contract he signed in January.

Still, it comes down to character, and the Minnesota Vikings as an organization are trying to sweep, actually...swiffer away the dirt and problems to give a nice, clean, respectable look to it. Kind of like using Windex on a dirty window to bring the shine back.

Frankly, Foley you're full of bologna, and now you're in the unemployment line.

-Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Foley full of bologna (http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2006/05/fran-foley-vikings040506.html)

Muggsy

05-04-2006, 05:13 PM

[quote="singersp"]Posted on Wed, May. 03, 2006

Foley won't leave Vikings without a fight

"The Vikings have been trying to start anew under owner Zygi Wilf. But the franchise continues to be dogged by drama. The latest episode razed one corner of the team's Triangle of Authority, thwarted an anticipated "bloodbath" in the scouting department and will be settled by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue."

"Sources close to the team said Tuesday and Wednesday that the Vikings were displeased with Foley's abrasive personality. Foley had disagreements with several staffers, the sources said, including Childress, and he told an assistant last week to take Monday and Tuesday off because there would be a "bloodbath," a reference to his plan to dismiss most of the team's scouts."

"The scouts' contracts expire at the end of this month. Among those rumored to be in danger was Scott Studwell, the director of college scouting."

"Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said the NFL has been abuzz over Foley's ouster. "Everyone's kind of talking about it," Smith said. "I can't comment on his Minnesota experience. I can only comment on his three years working here. He was a guy who worked hard, got along with everyone and did everything that was expected of him. He's a good person, a good family man."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dis mug is a good family man, a mug dat got along wit' everyone, an' he was gonna cause a bloodbath wit' da scouts? HAH! :roll:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Smith said Foley wasn't hired because of his resume and that he would rehire him - if he had a vacancy job. Said Kessler, "It's particularly outrageous, because (the Vikings) lured him away from another job. They've left him in a very difficult position for this year."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awwwww.... da poor baby! He's gonna be in a difficult position dis year! :boohoo:

I tink it's good we got rid of dis mug when we did, y'know? No tellin' how much damage he might have caused. Studwell would have been gone for sure.

Ok, wait a minute! This is in no way a defense for FRAN STUPID, but let's back away from the table and rethink this whole issue. No, not the Foley firing,.... HOW ABOUT THE FOLEY HIRING?

Anyone, cough, cough, Zygi, :roll: making the mistake of hiring a BOOB like Foley in the first place shouldn't get a pass on the HIRING of his Head Coach either!

I've never liked the Childress hire, I've never liked the thought that Zygi put so much faith into a 27 year QB coach who worked his last 7 years in the league as the clip board boy for Andy Reid, a total control freak! I've questioned the quick hire by Zygi, just 4 days after firing Meathead, and if anyone here thinks that Childress didn't have any say so in this past weekends draft, you need to find another hobby cause the draft is not your forte!

All I'm saying in this post is if Zygi could SCREW UP SO BIG on the hiring Fran Foley, who's to say the same can't apply for Brad Childress, a second tier coach in my humble opinion, until proven otherwise?

Or, as we should call them now, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e138/BigMo58/BlindingSqueeze-364x271.jpg

We've seen what Foley can do, which is drafting stoopidly.

We haven't seen what Childress can do yet, which is coach winning football.

Give him his chance, y'know?

coreyd

05-04-2006, 05:21 PM

Foley is a moron. I am not saying that I havent polished up the ole resume, but when your caught your caught.

twiztedfait

05-04-2006, 05:36 PM

I don't get the lawsuit. MN is a "at will" state. You can be fired for any reason unless it is discrimination. Unless he can prove he was fired because of his religion, sex, color, age, creed, etc. nothing should come of this.

What a waste of time and money. Atleast the press will have a hayday.

Vikes

05-05-2006, 02:28 AM

:shock: !

ladedodi

05-05-2006, 03:43 AM

Just thought that this was an interesting tidbit about Foley. This is from Tarvaris Jackson's QB coach Reggie Barlow in Alabama. This was his responce when he was asked if he knew Foley had been fired:

"I'm not shocked," Barlow said. "Fran was in Jacksonville when I was there. He's a little different. There's an air about him."

Foley must really rub people the wrong way if that is what people think of him after meeting for the first time.

Here is the article it was in:
http://www.startribune.com/508/story/410462.html

GO VIKES!

thanatoschristou

05-05-2006, 03:53 AM

I was listening to 1270 A.M. Fox radio in Rochester, MN yesterday and they were saying that to sue the Nfl will put you on an unspoken blacklist. In other words, to sue the NFL means you will not work in the NFL again.

olson_10

05-05-2006, 04:10 AM

you cant win a case when you have just committed FRAUD

thanatoschristou

05-05-2006, 04:23 AM

I was thinking the same thing. The man lied, I mean part of the contract was the credentials he brought. The credentials are a lie the whole contract is a sham, we owe him nothing.

isak

05-05-2006, 09:14 AM

Less than 24 hours before the first draft of the Zygi Wilf Era, much of the conversation at Winter Park had nothing to do with players, rankings or trades. No, the topic on April 28 centered squarely on one issue: What to do about Fran Foley, whose tenure as vice president of player personnel was approaching a full-fledged disaster.

According to interviews with numerous sources, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, it appears team employees began airing serious complaints that eventually made their way to new owner Wilf.

In a three-month period, the employees had witnessed Foley reduce a staffer to tears for a paperwork mistake. They knew coach Brad Childress had caught him berating assistant coaches, and they had seen him rebuke maintenance workers for offenses as minor as an uneven paint job.

Most of all, they were concerned about thinly veiled threats Foley made about the future of the personnel department.

Foley, according to the sources, warned a secretary to stay home Monday because he planned a "bloodbath" -- apparently, a mass firing of scouts and administrators.

Foley presided over the draft in near-mutinous conditions, according to the sources, and Wilf ended another turbulent chapter in team history by firing him "for cause" Monday. Foley plans to grieve the decision, claiming he was the victim of a Machiavellian power play executed by Childress and others. Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said Wednesday he would not address specific issues regarding the termination. Kessler did not return a phone call Thursday.

Was Foley thrown under the bus by colleagues who expected him to be their patsy? Or was the damage self-inflicted, qualifying him as one of the all-time flameouts in NFL history?

Most sources suggest the latter scenario, even while placing some blame on the Vikings for being unaware of -- or not placing enough importance on -- Foley's history of brash behavior and his undistinguished scouting record while working in San Diego and Jacksonville for the previous 12 years.

Most NFL observers, in fact, were stunned when the Vikings hired him Jan. 26, considering it proof that, regardless of title and public import, the job never was intended to carry significant personnel authority. In truth, only one major move had Foley's fingerprints on it: The acquisition of free agent linebacker Ben Leber, whom Foley had seen play for San Diego while working for the Chargers.

While he might have endorsed others' recommendations in personnel evaluations, Foley approached some aspects of the job as if he were a quasi-general manager. In some ways, the Vikings lost control over him as he moved into the office previously assigned to the head coach, took a global view on matters not specifically in his purview and committed three gaffes magnified by his unintended public profile.

Who, if anyone, will he hold responsible for vetting and hiring Foley? According to the sources, the committee that ran the process -- Childress, along with vice presidents Rob Brzezinski and Kevin Warren -- was split. Wilf sided with those who favored Foley.

Will Wilf replace Foley with another outsider, promote from within, or eliminate the position entirely? Will he consider hiring or promoting a single executive to run day-to-day operations at Winter Park, avoiding the inevitable issues of trust and cooperation required in a committee system?

For now, Wilf is immersed in damage control. Unfortunately for him, it has been the hallmark of his brief tenure.
http://www.startribune.com/510/story/413273.html

Interesting if most of the reports are true.

SnoSho

05-05-2006, 10:32 AM

After 3 places that from all reports he was hated at. I'm finding it hard to beleive he'll get another NFL job at least not this year when most offices are all set and running. Which is probably why he's suing, gotta get some money since he's most likely done with football at least till next year if he can BS his way in someplace else.

digital420

05-05-2006, 11:40 AM

they guy should just take the hit.. not put himself deeper in the S$1te hole any more and try to salvage some name for himself..

other then that.. i hear the pack are looking for more digruntled help these days.

DiGiTaL

Caine

05-05-2006, 12:16 PM

Mr Subliminal takes a stab at reading this article...

Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Vikings dump Foley; he'll sue

An attorney for former Vikings personnel director Fran Foley (Inventer of the internet) said that Foley was "wrongfully terminated" (Kicked to the curb) today and plans legal action (Since whining and crying didn't work) in order to recoup the entire value of a three year contract believed to be worth more than $1 million(or 16 Happy Meals...whichever costs less).
Foley (known liar) retained Jeffrey Kessler(even bigger liar), one of the country's preeminent sports attorneys (only one desperate enough to take the case), to make his (groundless) argument. Kessler said he will begin by (getting a massage and then) filing for an arbitration hearing (Legalized whining) in front of outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue (Viking hater).

"The Vikings are (rightfully) refusing to honor (a word he had to look up) his (worthless) contract," Kessler said, "which we find shocking (not really...just tossed in for effect) for a club who has made such a major public stance on being ethical (another word he had to look up) and having a code of conduct (something completely foreign to him...must be a Dutch thing)."

Kessler (big liar) and the Vikings (YAY) spent most of Tuesday attempting to negotiate a settlement (Between massages), but Kessler said the Vikings made only a "token" (more than he was worth) offer. Instead, the Vikings fired (rightfully) Foley (liar) today, telling Kessler (bigger liar) it was for cause (it was) and that they were not obligated (another word Kessler didn't know) to honor (they tossed this word in again to confuse him) the (worthless ---> ) contract.

Foley (fat liar) acknowledged last month (after he got busted) that he had embellished (lied about ) his early work history on the resume he submitted to the Vikings in January, which could be (and will be) interpreted as a violation of the Vikings' code of conduct. But Kessler said owner Zygi Wilf "made it very clear after the issue surfaced that it did not affect his evaluation of Mr. Foley in any way, shape or form."(Zygi "embellished" about his feelings)

Instead, Kessler said, Foley was (rightfully) fired because "of some type of internal issue created by (Foley ) people (EVERYONE) who did not want Mr. (liar) Foley to have the (ANY) job in the first place."

Vikings officials were not immediately available for comment (They didn't need to be, this one is a no brainer ).

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/409877.html

Caine

singersp

05-05-2006, 01:31 PM

Posted on Fri, May. 05, 2006

Lawyer getting Foley case started

BY SEAN JENSEN
Pioneer Press
VIKINGS REPORT

The attorney for ousted Vikings personnel executive Fran Foley said he has finalized a letter to commence arbitration with the NFL.

Kessler said there would be a conference to discuss the case, and then a schedule will be set. Kessler said he is asking for an expedited schedule.

"Right now, they left the guy without any income," Kessler said.

Foley's three-year contract worth more than $1 million was terminated Wednesday, and the Vikings issued a one-sentence news release just before noon.

Kessler said his client was "wrongfully terminated" and that he would seek full compensation for the three-year deal Foley signed in late January, as well as "additional damages."

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf could not be reached for comment, and other club officials were not available for comment.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will rule on the case, although he is expected to retire this year.

After working in a personnel job with the San Diego Chargers, Foley's three-month tenure with the Vikings was rocky. There were embellishments in biographical information on his resume regarding his college playing tenure and college coaching positions. He also had disagreements with team staffers, including coach Brad Childress.

The Vikings haven't announced whether they will replace Foley, or how they plan to address the future of their scouts. But they have to move quickly because the scouts' contracts expire at the end of this month.

The Vikings could revisit some of the candidates whom they interviewed for the personnel post in January. They were Jacksonville pro personnel director Charlie Bailey; Ron Hill, the former vice president of player personnel for the Atlanta Falcons; Bill Kuharich, the Kansas City Chiefs vice president of player personnel; and former Miami Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman.

Smith update: Running back Onterrio Smith will be eligible for reinstatement in the NFL in October, his agent, Doug Hendrickson, said Thursday.

Hendrickson declined to say why the NFL would not reinstate Smith next month.

"I'm very confident he will be reinstated in October," Hendrickson said. "But we also realize that's in the middle of the season in the NFL, so the stars have to be aligned correctly for him to land on a team."

Hendrickson is exploring options in the Canadian Football League for Smith. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold his rights, Hendrickson said, and he will speak to Bombers general manager Brendan Taman today.

Less than 24 hours before the first draft of the Zygi Wilf Era, much of the conversation at Winter Park had nothing to do with players, rankings or trades. No, the topic on April 28 centered squarely on one issue: What to do about Fran Foley, whose tenure as vice president of player personnel was approaching a full-fledged disaster.

According to interviews with numerous sources, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, it appears team employees began airing serious complaints that eventually made their way to new owner Wilf.

In a three-month period, the employees had witnessed Foley reduce a staffer to tears for a paperwork mistake. They knew coach Brad Childress had caught him berating assistant coaches, and they had seen him rebuke maintenance workers for offenses as minor as an uneven paint job.

Most of all, they were concerned about thinly veiled threats Foley made about the future of the personnel department.

Foley, according to the sources, warned a secretary to stay home Monday because he planned a "bloodbath" -- apparently, a mass firing of scouts and administrators.

Foley presided over the draft in near-mutinous conditions, according to the sources, and Wilf ended another turbulent chapter in team history by firing him "for cause" Monday. Foley plans to grieve the decision, claiming he was the victim of a Machiavellian power play executed by Childress and others. Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, said Wednesday he would not address specific issues regarding the termination. Kessler did not return a phone call Thursday.

Was Foley thrown under the bus by colleagues who expected him to be their patsy? Or was the damage self-inflicted, qualifying him as one of the all-time flameouts in NFL history?

Most sources suggest the latter scenario, even while placing some blame on the Vikings for being unaware of -- or not placing enough importance on -- Foley's history of brash behavior and his undistinguished scouting record while working in San Diego and Jacksonville for the previous 12 years.

Most NFL observers, in fact, were stunned when the Vikings hired him Jan. 26, considering it proof that, regardless of title and public import, the job never was intended to carry significant personnel authority. In truth, only one major move had Foley's fingerprints on it: The acquisition of free agent linebacker Ben Leber, whom Foley had seen play for San Diego while working for the Chargers.

While he might have endorsed others' recommendations in personnel evaluations, Foley approached some aspects of the job as if he were a quasi-general manager. In some ways, the Vikings lost control over him as he moved into the office previously assigned to the head coach, took a global view on matters not specifically in his purview and committed three gaffes magnified by his unintended public profile.

Who, if anyone, will he hold responsible for vetting and hiring Foley? According to the sources, the committee that ran the process -- Childress, along with vice presidents Rob Brzezinski and Kevin Warren -- was split. Wilf sided with those who favored Foley.

Will Wilf replace Foley with another outsider, promote from within, or eliminate the position entirely? Will he consider hiring or promoting a single executive to run day-to-day operations at Winter Park, avoiding the inevitable issues of trust and cooperation required in a committee system?

For now, Wilf is immersed in damage control. Unfortunately for him, it has been the hallmark of his brief tenure.

Kevin Seifert Ã¢â‚¬Â¢ kseifert@startribune.com

Danger signs about Foley didn't take long to arise (http://www.startribune.com/510/story/413273.html)

Prophet

05-05-2006, 02:10 PM

"Caine" wrote:

Mr Subliminal takes a stab at reading this article...

Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Vikings dump Foley; he'll sue

An attorney for former Vikings personnel director Fran Foley (Inventer of the internet) said that Foley was "wrongfully terminated" (Kicked to the curb) today and plans legal action (Since whining and crying didn't work) in order to recoup the entire value of a three year contract believed to be worth more than $1 million(or 16 Happy Meals...whichever costs less).
Foley (known liar) retained Jeffrey Kessler(even bigger liar), one of the country's preeminent sports attorneys (only one desperate enough to take the case), to make his (groundless) argument. Kessler said he will begin by (getting a massage and then) filing for an arbitration hearing (Legalized whining) in front of outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue (Viking hater).

"The Vikings are (rightfully) refusing to honor (a word he had to look up) his (worthless) contract," Kessler said, "which we find shocking (not really...just tossed in for effect) for a club who has made such a major public stance on being ethical (another word he had to look up) and having a code of conduct (something completely foreign to him...must be a Dutch thing)."

Kessler (big liar) and the Vikings (YAY) spent most of Tuesday attempting to negotiate a settlement (Between massages), but Kessler said the Vikings made only a "token" (more than he was worth) offer. Instead, the Vikings fired (rightfully) Foley (liar) today, telling Kessler (bigger liar) it was for cause (it was) and that they were not obligated (another word Kessler didn't know) to honor (they tossed this word in again to confuse him) the (worthless ---> ) contract.

Foley (fat liar) acknowledged last month (after he got busted) that he had embellished (lied about ) his early work history on the resume he submitted to the Vikings in January, which could be (and will be) interpreted as a violation of the Vikings' code of conduct. But Kessler said owner Zygi Wilf "made it very clear after the issue surfaced that it did not affect his evaluation of Mr. Foley in any way, shape or form."(Zygi "embellished" about his feelings)

Instead, Kessler said, Foley was (rightfully) fired because "of some type of internal issue created by (Foley ) people (EVERYONE) who did not want Mr. (liar) Foley to have the (ANY) job in the first place."

Vikings officials were not immediately available for comment (They didn't need to be, this one is a no brainer ).

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/409877.html

Caine

Thank you Caine. I ran out of caffeine this morning and you made it so I can read the article and understand it in a caffeine-free world.

Early indications out of Minnesota are that the team won't be pumping up the budget and aiming high for a G.M.-style personnel boss who might finally whip the dysfunctional operation into shape.

Instead, word is that the job will either go to Scott Studwell or to someone experience in pro scouting, given that Studwell's specialty is on the college side.

So it sounds as if the Vikings will simply dust off the stack of resumes (which hopefully will be examined a bit more closely this time) that were considered several months back in conjunction with the process that resulted in the arrival of Fran Foley. Indeed, Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that prior candidates Charles Bailey, Ron Hill, Bill Kuharich, and Rick Spielman could be back in the mix. (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/14503930.htm)

And that's a shame, in our view. Nothing against the guys who got sniffs the last time around, but this is an opportunity for the team to get it right. The hiring, in our view, of Foley was a symptom of a deeper problem. Resorting to the same approach that resulted in Foley's arrival suggests that the problem is still festering.

The thing that owner Zygi Wilf doesn't realize is that folks with far more experience in the business know exactly what's going on. The guys who already are entrenched in the organization don't want someone with a high degree of ability (and thus a high degree of influence) to come in and infringe on their fiefdom.

Instead, Kevin Warren, Rob Brzezinski, and Brad Childress hope to protect their territory -- and they'll do so only if the guy who replaces Foley arrives not with an agenda driven by a desire to improve the overall organization, but with a high degree of gratitude for those who helped him get the job.

The far better approach, as we've previously argued, would be for Wilf to hire an established football guy from an organization with a strong track record of success, pay him accordingly, and give him the keys to the car.

We were going to say "boat" but, well, you know. . . .

===============================================

POSTED 5:21 a.m. EDT, May 5, 2006

FOLEY HEADING TO NEW ORLEANS?
Mike Florio

Although more and more league insiders agree with the notion that former Vikings V.P. of player personnel Fran Foley has seriously damaged his chances of landing another NFL gig by filing an arbitration claim and allowing his lawyer to go public with criticism of the team, there's speculation in some circles that Foley could land with the Saints.

The business is driven in large part by relationships, and two of Foley's former colleagues in Jacksonville -- Rick Mueller and Rick Reiprish -- hold key positions in New Orleans.

Mueller is the director of player personnel, and Reiprish is the director of college scouting. Interestingly, the Saints currently have only two pro scouts -- and no pro personnel director. Since Foley's primary experience has come in that role, there's a potential for a natural fit.

The question is whether G.M. Mickey Loomis and/or owner Tom Benson would try to keep the move from happening. Our guess is that, if the price is right, Loomis and Benson will overlook Foley's recent follies.

Kevin Seifert, of the Star Tribune, reports the firing of former Minnesota Vikings vice president Fran Foley was a culmination of complaints from employees, an abuse of power and public gaffes over his tenure of three months. Owner Zygi Wilf fired Foley "for cause," and now faces serious decisions about the structure of his newly owned franchise. Foley has filed a grievance claiming he was the victim of a Machiavellian power play within the organization. The Vikings owner is thought to cite Foley's embellishment of his resume on two different occasions as the method to release the Vikings of any obligation to pay his three-year contract.

MightyVikes12391

05-05-2006, 02:42 PM

Foley is just sad to leave us

kyleo1967

05-05-2006, 02:51 PM

POSTED 6:38 a.m. EDT, May 5, 2006

STUDWELL HAS INSIDE TRACK ON VIKES GIG?

Early indications out of Minnesota are that the team won't be pumping up the budget and aiming high for a G.M.-style personnel boss who might finally whip the dysfunctional operation into shape.

Instead, word is that the job will either go to Scott Studwell or to someone experience in pro scouting, given that Studwell's specialty is on the college side.

So it sounds as if the Vikings will simply dust off the stack of resumes (which hopefully will be examined a bit more closely this time) that were considered several months back in conjunction with the process that resulted in the arrival of Fran Foley. Indeed, Sean Jensen of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that prior candidates Charles Bailey, Ron Hill, Bill Kuharich, and Rick Spielman could be back in the mix.

And that's a shame, in our view. Nothing against the guys who got sniffs the last time around, but this is an opportunity for the team to get it right. The hiring, in our view, of Foley was a symptom of a deeper problem. Resorting to the same approach that resulted in Foley's arrival suggests that the problem is still festering.

The thing that owner Zygi Wilf doesn't realize is that folks with far more experience in the business know exactly what's going on. The guys who already are entrenched in the organization don't want someone with a high degree of ability (and thus a high degree of influence) to come in and infringe on their fiefdom.

Instead, Kevin Warren, Rob Brzezinski, and Brad Childress hope to protect their territory -- and they'll do so only if the guy who replaces Foley arrives not with an agenda driven by a desire to improve the overall organization, but with a high degree of gratitude for those who helped him get the job.

The far better approach, as we've previously argued, would be for Wilf to hire an established football guy from an organization with a strong track record of success, pay him accordingly, and give him the keys to the car.

We were going to say "boat" but, well, you know. . . .

DaunteHOF

05-05-2006, 03:28 PM

When in doubt, Sue. Thats the american way.

SharperVikings

05-05-2006, 03:40 PM

"viks_fan21" wrote:

If I were Zygi, I would pay 1 million dollars to have him gone.

So would I!!

COJOMAY

05-05-2006, 07:35 PM

And now this...
After reporting earlier that Studwell had the inside track to replace Foley, now they are reporting the followinig:

BAILEY IN PLAY FOR VIKINGS GIG

We're heard from several sources that Jaguars pro personnel director Charles Bailey is indeed one of the leading candidates to join the Vikings as the new V.P. of player personnel.

Bailey and Fran Foley, as we understand it, were the two finalists for the job the last time around. The job ultimately went to Foley, who was fired earlier this week.

Though we've previously lobbied for the team to hire a strong G.M., no one in Minnesota really cares about what we have to say on the matter. (So maybe there's still hope for the franchise, after all.)

whackthepack

05-07-2006, 06:44 AM

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

marshallvike

05-07-2006, 05:17 PM

Posted on Fri, May. 05, 2006email thisprint this
THE FRAN FOLEY ERA
Jan. 26: Passes Bud Grant in hallway, remarks to no one in particular, "Wow. Who's the old guy?"
the jag-off should have been fired on the spot.

marshallvike

05-07-2006, 05:21 PM

guess i should have read the whole thing first, pretty funny.
Posted on Fri, May. 05, 2006email thisprint this
THE FRAN FOLEY ERA
Jan. 26: Passes Bud Grant in hallway, remarks to no one in particular, "Wow. Who's the old guy?"

Jan. 29: Orders Winter Park janitors to replace toilet seat used by Mike Tice and install his own ergonomic throne.

Jan. 31: Decides to change his college major to "rocket science" and orders revision of biography.

Feb. 3: After days of internal debate, decides to "cut down on dairy."

Feb. 4: After an uncomfortable morning, realizes the macaroni and cheese he ate yesterday was probably "loaded with dairy."

May 1: Decides to go with his argyle sweater for the post-draft news conference.

May 4: Updates resume to note his decade leading the Vikings juggernaut

singersp

05-07-2006, 08:12 PM

"whackthepack" wrote:

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

That's what Foley did.

snowinapril

05-07-2006, 08:29 PM

"singersp" wrote:

"whackthepack" wrote:

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

That's what Foley did.

Abolish the Triangle and get the other two remaing points to understand that they are under the GM, more like a pyramid than a triangle where the person at the top of the pyramid hands down the decrees.

If you hire the right person, it will work.

VKG4LFE

05-07-2006, 08:37 PM

"snowinapril" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

"whackthepack" wrote:

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

That's what Foley did.

Abolish the Triangle and get the other two remaing points to understand that they are under the GM, more like a pyramid than a triangle where the person at the top of the pyramid hands down the decrees.

If you hire the right person, it will work.

But aren't pyramids triangles??? lol jk

whackthepack

05-08-2006, 02:54 PM

"singersp" wrote:

"whackthepack" wrote:

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

That's what Foley did.

No it is not Singer, Foley was to head the scouting and personnel department, I want a real GM that oversees the entire football operation!

We have not had a real GM in Minnesota since 1991.

whackthepack

05-08-2006, 02:56 PM

"snowinapril" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

"whackthepack" wrote:

The Vikes need to get a GM and have 1 person that oversees the entire football side of the organization, a person that has final say.

That's what Foley did.

Abolish the Triangle and get the other two remaing points to understand that they are under the GM, more like a pyramid than a triangle where the person at the top of the pyramid hands down the decrees.

If you hire the right person, it will work.

That is exactly what I was referring to Snow.

Del Rio

05-08-2006, 04:14 PM

Wilf knew he lied on his resume a long time ago.

I highly doubt that position will stand up in court.

In the end however this is the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed money. I imagin this will be the same thing.

I should sue Ziggy for being careless enough to not only hire Foley but place him in a position of extreeme influence and power. I could give a shit about Foley, this whole issue speaks volumes to me in regards to my favorite teams new owner.

6-KINGS

05-08-2006, 04:19 PM

I say the Vikes sue him and then apply for Federal money for hiring of the mentally hadicapped!

Muggsy

05-09-2006, 07:33 AM

"Del Rio" wrote:

Wilf knew he lied on his resume a long time ago.

I highly doubt that position will stand up in court.

In the end however this is the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed money. I imagin this will be the same thing.

I should sue Ziggy for being careless enough to not only hire Foley but place him in a position of extreeme influence and power. I could give a pooh about Foley, this whole issue speaks volumes to me in regards to my favorite teams new owner.

Head coach Brad Childress had pushed for the hiring of director of player personnel Fran Foley, and owner Zygi Wilf, against his better judgment at the time, agreed to let Childress have his man. But on May 2, Childress apologized to Wilf for making a serious mistake in hiring Foley as the VikingsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ personnel director. Foley, who was ChildressÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ first choice and someone Wilf Ã‚Â­didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t fully approve of, was fired three days after the draft for what the Vikings described as Ã¢â‚¬Å“cause.Ã¢â‚¬Â According to our sources in Minnesota, Foley was trying to seize more control within the front office than Childress was willing to surrender. Ideally, as the pecking order was laid out by Wilf, Foley would have had tie-breaking authority on Draft Day decisions. But because Foley held a dislike for some of the VikingsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ scouting staff Ã¢â‚¬â€ including, weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re told, Wilf favorite Scott Studwell, the college scouting director of the Vikings Ã¢â‚¬â€ the tension in Winter Park escalated to palpable levels and created a counterproductive work environment. Wilf wants to keep Studwell and other members of the scouting staff around after their contracts expire at the end of the month. At this point, decisions are being handled by Childress and capologist Rob Brzezinski.
===============================================
According to dis, it was Childress, not Wilf, dat wanted Fran Fooey. An' Childress actually apologized to Wilf for talkin' him into it, y'know?

I tink Wilfy is gonna be a jake owner, y'know? I was against him at foist, but, he's winnin' me over, y'know?

singersp

05-09-2006, 12:42 PM

"Muggsy" wrote:

"Del Rio" wrote:

Wilf knew he lied on his resume a long time ago.

I highly doubt that position will stand up in court.

In the end however this is the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed money. I imagin this will be the same thing.

I should sue Ziggy for being careless enough to not only hire Foley but place him in a position of extreeme influence and power. I could give a pooh about Foley, this whole issue speaks volumes to me in regards to my favorite teams new owner.

Head coach Brad Childress had pushed for the hiring of director of player personnel Fran Foley, and owner Zygi Wilf, against his better judgment at the time, agreed to let Childress have his man. But on May 2, Childress apologized to Wilf for making a serious mistake in hiring Foley as the VikingsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ personnel director. Foley, who was ChildressÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ first choice and someone Wilf Ã‚Â­didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t fully approve of, was fired three days after the draft for what the Vikings described as Ã¢â‚¬Å“cause.Ã¢â‚¬Â According to our sources in Minnesota, Foley was trying to seize more control within the front office than Childress was willing to surrender. Ideally, as the pecking order was laid out by Wilf, Foley would have had tie-breaking authority on Draft Day decisions. But because Foley held a dislike for some of the VikingsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ scouting staff Ã¢â‚¬â€ including, weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re told, Wilf favorite Scott Studwell, the college scouting director of the Vikings Ã¢â‚¬â€ the tension in Winter Park escalated to palpable levels and created a counterproductive work environment. Wilf wants to keep Studwell and other members of the scouting staff around after their contracts expire at the end of the month. At this point, decisions are being handled by Childress and capologist Rob Brzezinski.
===============================================
According to dis, it was Childress, not Wilf, dat wanted Fran Fooey. An' Childress actually apologized to Wilf for talkin' him into it, y'know?

I tink Wilfy is gonna be a jake owner, y'know? I was against him at foist, but, he's winnin' me over, y'know?

I guess we'll have to wait & see about Childress' hand picked coaching staff also.

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the attorney for ousted Minnesota Vikings personnel executive Fran Foley said he and the NFL are waiting for a response from the team on his request for an arbitration hearing before NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Jeffrey Kessler said the Vikings have until May 22 to respond, and then a hearing date will be set. The Vikings are expected to wait until that date to respond. Asked if Foley is a candidate for either the Houston Texans or St. Louis Rams personnel jobs, Kessler said, "I won't comment on that."

Don Seeholzer, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings filed a response to former vice president of player personnel Fran Foley's request for an arbitration hearing against the club. The next step is a meeting, expected to take place within a week, to determine an arbitration hearing date. NFL special counsel Jay Moyer is expected to oversee that meeting and preside over the arbitration hearing, but NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will decide the matter.

Benet

05-23-2006, 04:08 PM

Bring it on Foley.

He lied to get the job, therefore, by deceiving the Vikings and pretending to be something he's not, and possessing experience that he did not, the Vikings (surely) had a right to fire his ass without compensation due to the manner in which he got the job under false pretences.

The dispute between the Vikings and fired vice president of player personnel Fran Foley quietly moved forward Monday when the team filed a response to Foley's request for an arbitration hearing against the club.

Vikings vice president of operations and legal counsel Kevin Warren said a written response was filed with the NFL office before Monday's deadline but otherwise declined comment.

Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, was traveling on business and could not be reached for comment.

The next step is a meeting, expected to take place within a week, to determine an arbitration hearing date.

NFL special counsel Jay Moyer is expected to oversee that meeting and preside over the arbitration hearing, but NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will decide the matter.

Kessler contends his client was wrongfully terminated and deserves full compensation for his $1 million-plus contract as well as "additional damages."

Kessler began the arbitration process May 5 when he filed a complaint with the NFL office. Because Foley was terminated without a settlement, Kessler has said they will be asking for an expedited arbitration hearing.

Kessler said he has asked that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and team President Mark Wilf be available at the hearing in addition to Childress and Warren.

On the road: Warren and Vikings vice president of finance Steve Poppen accompanied Zygi Wilf to today's NFL owners meeting in Denver.

Returning an NFL team to Los Angeles and the search for a successor to the retiring Tagliabue top the agenda for the one-day meeting.

Fresh face: The Vikings claimed Marcus Lawrence on waivers from the New York Giants. An undrafted free agent from South Carolina, the 6-foot-1, 236-pound Lawrence was signed to the Giants' practice squad Nov. 2 and appeared in one game, getting one special-teams tackle in an NFC wild-card playoff loss to Carolina.

Briefly: Vikings wide receiver Aaron Hosack will play in World Bowl XIV on Saturday when his Frankfurt Galaxy take on the Amsterdam Admirals. Hosack, a former Gopher, finished third in NFL Europe in receptions with 36 for 473 yards and four touchdowns.

Mark Craig, of the Star Tribune reports NFL special counsel Jay Moyer has scheduled a pre-arbitration conference call for Thursday, May 26, with the Minnesota Vikings and Fran Foley, the team's former vice president of player personnel. A date for the arbitration hearing could be set at that time. "The conference call is a chance for the respective attorneys to talk to the arbitrator and explain our positions," said Kevin Warren, Vikings vice president of operations and legal counsel. "Beyond that, we can't comment on the specifics of our position." Foley is being represented by Jeffrey Kessler. Foley is asking for the full amount of his contract, but the Vikings contend he doesn't deserve it because he was fired for cause.

BBQ Platypus

05-24-2006, 02:38 PM

:roll: Here we go. More wasted court time set aside from a guy who falsified his freaking resume. Fine. The judge's decision is final, jerk.

vike_mike

05-24-2006, 03:03 PM

Now if that were you and I, would we be able to go to arbitration for falsifying our resume'? We would be put out on the lawn and security would walk us out off of the property and told never to come back and that would be it. We should pay him $100,000 which is more than he deserves and be done with it. He only worked for 3 months for Christ's sake. Pay him and get him out of our hair. He was the wrong choice in the first place. Should have gone to Scott Studwell anyway.

Del Rio

05-24-2006, 03:18 PM

"vike_mike" wrote:

Now if that were you and I, would we be able to go to arbitration for falsifying our resume'? We would be put out on the lawn and security would walk us out off of the property and told never to come back and that would be it. We should pay him $100,000 which is more than he deserves and be done with it. He only worked for 3 months for Christ's sake. Pay him and get him out of our hair. He was the wrong choice in the first place. Should have gone to Scott Studwell anyway.

The same holds true for athletes.

And if you had a union where you worked yeah, you probably would and could go to arbitration.

It's the union that makes this possible not the NFL itself.

vike_mike

05-24-2006, 03:54 PM

Some places don't have union access. My old job didn't. It was Japanese owned. What a suprise there. If you were to mention union, they would physically throw you out. Anyway, I believe that is what he deserves.

Del Rio

05-24-2006, 04:34 PM

"vike_mike" wrote:

Some places don't have union access. My old job didn't. It was Japanese owned. What a suprise there. If you were to mention union, they would physically throw you out. Anyway, I believe that is what he deserves.

I know some places don't all I am saying is that if you worked for a company that did (like I do) chances are yes you would get to go to arbitration.

That's all

VikesfaninWis

05-24-2006, 04:39 PM

For the sake of God lets be done with this..

Del Rio

05-24-2006, 04:41 PM

It has caused me so much grief. I can't sleep, I can't eat.....having this happen has been hell......

lol

vike_mike

05-25-2006, 12:34 PM

Sorry it might sound like I am arguing with you, I am not.

NordicNed

05-25-2006, 12:47 PM

WHO'S FOLEY??????????????

Del Rio

05-25-2006, 01:48 PM

"vike_mike" wrote:

Sorry it might sound like I am arguing with you, I am not.

Same here, I'm not arguing with you either. You asked a question I gave an answer that is all.

No big deal.

petrodemos

05-25-2006, 03:12 PM

can the vikings sue for a 3rd round draft pick ?

COJOMAY

05-25-2006, 10:06 PM

Foley hearing today

By: Viking Update Staff

Date: May 25, 2006

The relationship between the Vikings and Fran Foley came to an abrupt end little more than a month ago. Today, both representatives of the Vikings and Foley will meet with an arbitrator to explain their sides of the story with almost $1 million at stake.

The relationship between the Vikings and former vice president of player personnel Fran Foley lasted less time than Eminem's most recent marriage and ended on just about as ugly of terms. In a case of "he said, they said," Foley and the Vikings will have their day in court (sort of) today.

An arbitrator for the NFL will hear the Foley grievance against the Vikings today, as he lays out his case that the Vikings guaranteed him a three-year contract worth $1 million.

The Vikings tried to work out a settlement with Foley after last month's draft, but, according to sources, the team's offer was a fraction of the total amount. Foley and his agent denied a buy-out, saying that Foley would have been content to stay with the Chargers, where he had worked the last several years without any public incident.

The Vikings, however, tell a much different story -- one of a man who was increasingly difficult to deal with. Reports of Foley berating underlings at Winter Park all the way up to heated confrontations with head coach Brad Childress have made the rounds, painting Foley as a person that did not have the people skills necessary to handle the position to which he was hired.

In the end, the arbitrator likely won't rule so much on the personnel issues as on the letter of the law from the contract the Vikings signed with Foley. If there isn't an "out" clause due to the responsibilities Foley would have with his new position, the Vikings will likely lose the case. What the contentious actions will likely boil down to is whether the Vikings in fact guaranteed all of Foley's money. If that is how the language is written -- much like the poison pill language put in Steve Hutchinson's contract -- the arbitrator may have no alternative than to award Foley his full compensation package.

There is no official timetable set for when a ruling will be made, but it is expected within two weeks.

singersp

05-26-2006, 01:36 PM

Posted on Fri, May. 26, 2006
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Foley dispute kept private

Little news comes out of pre-arbitration call

Staff and news service reports

Until further notice, the dispute between the Vikings and fired vice president of player personnel Fran Foley apparently will play out in private.

That was the only news that came out of Thursday's pre-arbitration conference call involving Vikings vice president of operations and legal counsel Kevin Warren; Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler; and NFL special counsel Jay Moyer, the arbitrator in the case.

"The parties and the league have agreed not to make any further comment at this time," Kessler said, declining to say even if an arbitration hearing date was set. "I can't tell you anything more."

Warren wasn't any more enlightening.

"For purposes of confidentiality, all parties involved have agreed not to comment on details of this matter at this time," he said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "We'll have no further comment until there's some resolution."

Kessler contends that Foley was wrongfully terminated on May 3, three months into a three-year contract, and deserves full compensation for his $1 million-plus contract, as well as "additional damages." The Vikings claim he was fired for cause.

Kessler commenced the arbitration process May 5 when he filed a complaint with the NFL office. The Vikings delivered their written response Monday.

World honors: Vikings wide receiver Aaron Hosack and cornerback Ronyell Whitaker were named to the All-NFL Europe team.

The Associated Press reports the Minnesota Vikings reached a settlement Wednesday, Aug. 23, with former vice president of player personnel Fran Foley. Financial terms of the settlement remained confidential, although Foley's lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, said his client was happy with the outcome. "Fran Foley and the Vikings have reached an amicable settlement," said Kessler. "Fran is very happy to put this matter behind him and move on with his NFL career."

cogitans

08-23-2006, 02:37 PM

Great. Now lets also put this behind us. I had almost blocked him out of my memory

cajunvike

08-23-2006, 02:51 PM

Fook Fran Fookin' Foley!!!

COJOMAY

08-24-2006, 11:43 AM

From the Pioneer Press:

The Vikings and former vice president of player personnel Fran Foley have reached a settlement over his contract.

The NFL announced Tuesday that Foley's grievance has been "amicably resolved," a point both the Vikings and Foley's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, confirmed.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, although Foley initially sought the full terms of the three-year, $1 million-plus contract he originally signed in January.

Foley's three-month stint was a tumultuous one, and the Vikings fired him in May, shortly after he presided over the NFL draft. He had disagreements with staff members, including coach Brad Childress, and his resume was heavily scrutinized.

"Fran is very happy with the settlement," Kessler said. "He's glad to put this behind him. He feels he's been wrongfully tarred in the press. He wants to make it clear he did not make any misrepresentations of anything in his resume. He would like to move forward, and he wishes the Vikings well."

Kessler said Foley is seeking another NFL job.

SAY WHAT???????
::)
;D

Prophet

08-24-2006, 11:46 AM

I wish Fred Flintstone would go back to Bedrock and his old job in the mine.